JSS 3 COMPUTER STUDIES NOTE

FIRST TERM 2025/2026 SESSION

1. DIGITAL DIVIDE

2. DATABASE

3. SPREADSHEET

DIGITAL DIVIDE

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 The Concept of Digital Divide

The present age is referred to as the digital age. It is called a digital age because
the current global economy is driven by a digital device known as the computer.
The computer represents data and instructions in 0s and 1s called binary codes,
hence, it is a digital device. One of the reasons for inventing the computer is to
reduce the world to a global village. To achieve this, everyone must have access
to a computer (mobile phone, laptop, etc.) and internet connectivity. But this is
not the case. Some classes of people have effective access and coverage to
information and communication technologies and others have little or no access at
all. Hence, there is a digital gap or split between these two groups. This gap or
split is called Digital Divide

Definition of Digital Divide

The Digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital
and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all.
Digital Divide, or digital split, is a social issue referring to the differing amount of
information between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not.
The term became popular among concerned parties, such as scholars,
policymakers, and advocacy groups, in the late 1990s.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Digital divide can be bridged. The basic steps would be to:

i. Provide digital access to those in the community who do not have it.
ii. Reduce the base price of ICT gadgets or subsidize them.
iii. Enlighten the masses on the importance of ICT in our current global economy.
iv. The government should lower or remove import duties on ICT goods and
services.

The Old Economy versus the New Economy

Economy is the system by which the wealth of a nation or country is made.

The Old Economy

The old economy is an economy that is centered on industrialization.

Industrialization is the development of industries in a country or region on a wide
scale. The wealth of the global economy was achieved by investing a large amount
of capital in physical plant facilities. Investments in information systems were
relatively small.

Features of the Old Economy

The old economy had the following characteristics.

1. Its processes were time-consuming
2. It requires a lot of labour
3. It was mechanically driven
4. It was constrained by time, space and distance.
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 The New Economy

The new economy, is also called the digital or knowledge economy. It is

characterized by a shift from traditional industries based on manufacturing and
physical resources to industries centred on information, technology, and
knowledge-based services.

Features of the New Economy

1. It is digital
2. Time, distance and space are irrelevant.
3. It is technology-driven:
4. It is knowledge-based

Limitations of Old Economy

The limitations of the old economy to the new economy are:

S/N OLD ECONOMY NEW ECONOMY

1. Slower and linear Fast and unpredictable
2. Local competition Global hyper competition
Automation and Information and communication
3.
mechanization technology
Limited learning skills
4. Continuous learning skills required
required
5. Capital intensive Knowledge and people capabilities
6. Covers small area Covers large area

Benefits of the New Economy

1. The size of the pieces of equipment was reduced.

2. Businesses can start with small capital.
3. Creates new jobs
4. Attract new investment and encourage export
5. Greater competition.

DATABASE

What is Database?

1. A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access,

retrieval and use of data.
2. A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily
be accessed, managed, and updated.
3. A database is an organized collection of data.

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 Meaning and Definition of DBMS

DBMS stands for DataBase Management System.

DataBase Management System is defined as an application software that
manipulates the data in the database.

Examples of DBMS Packages

They include:
Dbase
Rbase
MS Access
Oracle
Paradox
MYSQL Server
SyBase
FOXPRO
IDMS
System 2000.
Ingres
Postgres
NoSQL

Database Terminologies

1. Field: Field is a single piece of information about an object. A is also defined as

a space that holds specific parts of data from a set or a record. Examples of fields
are NAME, ADDRESS, QUANTITY, AGE, etc.
2. Record: A record is a collection of fields. It is the collection of information
about a particular element, person or object.
3. File: This is the collection of a related record
4. Primary Key: a field in a table whose value uniquely identifies each record in
the table. Examples of fields that can serve as primary keys include; NIN, Driving
License number, Bank account number, Admission number, Fingerprint, BVN, etc

Forms of Database

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1. Hierarchical Database
in this form of database, data are arranged or structured in form of a tree. It can
also be defined as a design that uses a one-to-many relationship for data
elements. The data is stored as records are connected through links
2. Network Model
This type of database allows the modelling of many-to-many relationships of data.
In the network model of a database, a record can have multiple parents, making
the system more flexible compared to the strict single parents of the hierarchical
database.
3. Relational Model
A relational database presents information in tables with rows and columns.
Records are arranged in rows while fields are arranged in columns. A relational
database is the most common type of database structure. It is used by most
microcomputers in Database Management System (DBMS) packages.

Starting a DBMS (MS Access)

To start the database in Microsoft Access, you do the following:

Step1: Click on the start button on the taskbar
Step 2: Move to all Programs,
Step 3: Click on MS Access

Opening an Existing Database

To open an existing Database, do the following:

Step 1: Click on the file menu, then click the open button
Step 2: Click on the file to be opened from the dialogue box.
Step 3: Then click on open or press enter on your keyboard.
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 SPREADSHEETS

Definition of Spreadsheet

1. Spreadsheet is an application software that tracks, analyzes, and charts

numeric information.
2. A spreadsheet is an interactive computer application program for organization,
analysis and storage of data in tabular form
3. Spreadsheet is a computer program or software which allows calculations to be
carried out on several cells that have numbers

Examples of Spreadsheet Packages

1. iWork Numbers – Apple Office Suite

2. Lotus 1-2-3
3. OpenOffice – Calc
4. Lotus Symphony – Spreadsheets
5. Microsoft Excel
6. VisiCalc
[Link]
8. AirTable
[Link]
10. LibreOffice
11. Google Sheets
12. Quip
13. JotForm Table
14. Zoho
[Link]
16. Stackby

Application Areas of Spreadsheet

1. Accounting.
2. Statistical calculations.
3. Preparation of student results.
4. Obtaining tax estimation
5. Preparation of daily sales

Features and Terminologies of Spreadsheet

1. Active Cell: The active cell is the cell in the spreadsheet that is currently
selected for data entry. The active cell reference is listed in the Name Box directly
above the spreadsheet's column headings.
2. Anchor Cell: The anchor cell is the first cell that is highlighted in a range.
When a range of cells is selected, they appear as highlighted in black. The anchor
cell, however, remains white.
3. Cell: A cell is a rectangular area formed by the intersection of a column and a
row.
4. Cell Reference: A cell reference is the name of the cell that is found by
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combining the Column Letter with the Row Number. For example the cell in
Column "C" in Row "3" would be cell C3.
5. Column: Columns run vertically on the spreadsheet screen. An Excel
spreadsheet contains 256 columns that are labeled with the letters of the
alphabet.
6. Data: Data refers to the type of information that can be stored in the cells of a
spreadsheet. Spreadsheet data types include values (numbers), labels, formulas
and functions.
7. Formula: A formula is a spreadsheet data type that will calculate a result and
display it in the active cell. A formula is written using cell references and must
begin with an equal sign "=" to distinguish it from a label.
8. Formula Bar: The formula bar appears directly above the column headings of
a spreadsheet and will display what has been typed into the active cell. For
example, if you click on a cell that contains the formula =A3+C3, the cell itself will
show the result of the formula.
9. Function: Functions are built-in formulas that are used to enter either
commonly used or very complex formulas.
10. Gridlines: Gridlines are the horizontal and vertical lines on the screen that
separate cells in a spreadsheet. Gridlines typically do not print unless the option is
set in the layout options of the spreadsheet.
11. Labels: Labels refer to text that is typed into the cells of a spreadsheet.
Labels have no numeric value and cannot be used in a formula or function.
12. Name Box: The name box appears to the left of the formula bar and displays
the name of the current cell. Unless you define a cell or range of cells with a
specific name, the name box will display the cell reference of the active cell.
13. Range: A range is a group of cells in a spreadsheet that have been selected.
14. Rows: Rows run horizontally on the spreadsheet screen. An Excel spreadsheet
contains 16,384 rows which are labeled numerically.
15. Sheet Tabs: In Microsoft Excel, the sheet tabs appear below the worksheet
grid area and allow you to switch from one worksheet to another in a workbook.
16. Values: Values are numeric data that is entered into a cell.
17. Workbook: A workbook is a collection of worksheets that are saved together
in one file.
18. Worksheet: A worksheet is a single page in the workbook.

Basic Operations in Worksheet

Starting Worksheet
To start a worksheet, the MS Excel could be loaded first to the screen of the
computer. A workbook will be displayed automatically as the default file name
book1
Data Entry
This is the process of inputting data into the cells of the worksheet. There are
three basic types of data in spreadsheet packages and they are:
a. Values or Numbers
b. Formula
c. Labels
Editing Worksheet
This is the process of customizing the worksheet so that it could ne neatly
arranged on the pages when printing. Check spelling, preview layout, page setup
and sheet setting, etc are parts of the editing process. The editing process gives
the worksheet a befitting look.
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Saving
This can easily be done using the Save As found on the file menu or by pressing
ctrl + S keys simultaneously. A dialog box appears on your screen asking for the
file name to be used and the location to save into.

Retrieving or Opening Worksheet

To retrieve or open a worksheet, click on office button on the menu and click on
Open button from the file sub-menu or by pressing Ctrl + O keys together. A
dialog box will be displayed asking you to choose the worksheet to be opened or
retrieve.

Formating Worksheet

a. Changing column width

i. Pull down the Format Menu and select Column and then width
ii. Type the desired width in the space provided
b. Changing Row Height
i. Pull down the Format Menu and select Column and then width
ii. Type the desired height in the space provided

Adding Formulae and Performing Calculations

To tell the spreadsheet package that you will be entering a formula, you must start
the formula with a particular symbol. Excel uses the sign = and lotus 1-2-3, uses
the @, - or + signs.
The operators used in spreadsheet formulae include

Operators Symbols
Addition +
Subtraction -
Multiplication *
Division /
Exponentiation ^

Using Functions in Microsoft Excel

Sum Function
The sum function adds up the total values of a group of cells, depending on which
cells you choose. The general form is:
=SUM(First cell:Last cell)
Average Function
This will compute the average of the values of a group of cells depending on which
cells you choose. The general form is:
=AVERAGE(First cell:Last cell)
Count Function
This function will count the number of entries in the range from first cell to last
cells you choose. The general form is:
=COUNT(First cell:Last cell)
Max Function
The max function is used to find the largest value in a set of values in the row or
column. The general form is:
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=MAX(First cell:Last cell)
Min Function The Min function is used to find the smallest value in a set of values
in a row or column. The general form is:
=MIN(First cell:Last cell)

Printing Worksheet

Printing a worksheet is not much different from printing a word processing

document. To Print a Worksheet Click on office button, select print from the menu
or by pressing ctrl + P keys simultaneously.

Creating Graphs

MS Excel gives options of creating charts from data entries in your spreadsheets.
Charts like line graph, histogram, pie charts and bar charts could be created from
the supplied data basically numeric data.
All charts are created in the same way by selecting range of cells within a
worksheet called chart range after which one selects chart wizard option.
There are different parts of chart namely:
a. Legend: In a chart or graph in spreadsheet programs such as Excel, the legend
is most often located on the right hand side of the chart or graph and can
sometimes be surrounded by a border. The legend is linked to the data being
graphically displayed in the plot area of the chart
b. Axis: As in normal mathematical operations every chart must carry axis i.e.
axis X and Y, where X and Y stands for horizontal and vertical lines respectively
which are displayed on data scale
c. Data series: These are set of numbers in either row or column.